Bill > HB358

This bill modifies Texas education law to expand prekindergarten (pre-K) eligibility and program requirements. Currently, school districts must offer pre-K classes to children at least four years old if they can identify 15 or more eligible children, but the bill changes this to allow districts to offer classes to any child who is at least four years old. The bill also expands eligibility criteria for three-year-olds, which now includes children who are unable to speak English, educationally disadvantaged, homeless, children of military personnel, children in or formerly in foster care, and children of certain emergency service workers. Importantly, the bill mandates that all pre-K classes must now be full-day, whereas previously half-day classes were allowed for children under four. Districts are not required to provide transportation for pre-K classes, but if they do, it will be counted as part of their regular transportation system. The bill also requires districts to report detailed information about their pre-K programs through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS), including demographic data, class sizes, funding sources, and curricula. These changes will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, with the bill becoming law immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB358